Wednesday, April 10, 2013

STRESS TEST - Richard Mabry - One Free Book


Welcome back, Richard. Tell us about your salvation experience.
No fireworks, no bells and whistles. I accepted Christ in my home at age 12, during a conversation with my grandmother.

You’re planning a writing retreat where you can only have four other authors. Who would they be and why?
Really tough question, and one that’s going to bother me when I think later, “I should have chosen—.” Assuming we’re talking about living authors, names that come to mind are James Scott Bell (to teach me about plot and structure), Jim Rubart (to help me with marketing), Alton Gansky (to encourage me to think outside the box), and BJ Hoff (to give me level-headed advice).

Do you have a speaking ministry? If so, tell us about that.
Actually, after the publication of my non-fiction book, The Tender Scar: Life After The Death Of A Spouse, I spoke frequently to various grief groups and church groups. After the publication of my first novel, I was asked to speak and teach in a number of venues. I don’t actively seek these opportunities, since I have more on my plate than I can handle, but will always consider invitations to teach and speak when I can work it into my schedule. Matter of fact, I’ll be speaking to our mutual ACFW group, the DFW Ready Writers, soon.

What is the most embarrassing thing that has happened to you and how did you handle it?
One of the nice things about getting to this age is that most of the bad things in my life happened so long ago I have pushed them completely out of my mind. I do recall my shock when I saw the grade from my first gross anatomy lab exam in med school. I’d been an easy “A” student in high school and college, but I anchored the freshman class on this one. How did I handle it? Pretty much as you’d expect. I wanted to protest the grade, then I wanted to quit, and finally I buckled down and determined to do better. Come to think of it, that’s pretty much the way I handle a bad review even now.

People are always telling me that they’d like to write a book someday. I’m sure they do to you, too. What would you tell someone who came up to you and said that?
First of all, I’d try not to laugh. Most people have no idea how hard it is to write a book, much less write a good one. I’d urge them to buy—and study— about a half dozen of the best basic books on plot and structure, character development, story arc, and other aspects of the craft. Then I’d encourage them to attend a writer’s conference. By the time they’ve done all that, they should have a pretty good idea of whether they really want to try writing. If so, more power to them.

Tell us about the featured book, Stress Test.
Kidnapping leads to a near-deadly escape. What would you do if you woke to find you’ve been charged with murder? And there’s no evidence to prove otherwise? They may not have enough evidence to convict him, but they have enough to ruin his life.

Sounds totally intriguing. Please give us the first page of the book.
Would you accept page 2? I think it gives a better flavor of the novel.

Sure. No problem.
It wasn’t hard for Dr. Matt Newman to spot his silver Chevy Impala in the darkest corner of the deserted hospital garage. There weren’t many cars still there at two a.m., and soon there would be one fewer. He fished his keys from the pocket of his white lab coat and thumbed the unlock button on his remote. His hand was on the door handle when something yanked him backward and cut off his air in mid-breath. Matt dropped the keys and reached up with both hands to pry at the arm that encircled his neck.
     
In an instant Matt was slammed facedown to the cement floor. He heard a crack and felt the knife-like agony of breaking ribs. The searing pain in his chest made each labored breath more difficult. A weight pinned him to the ground like a butterfly on a specimen board.

Matt struggled, but his assailant held him fast. Fire shot through his shoulders as his arms were yanked together. There was a quick rip of tape and in seconds, his wrists were bound tightly behind him. Rough hands encircled his ankles with more tape, leaving him helpless and immobile. At the same time, someone else grabbed his hair and lifted his head. Matt gave a shrill cry before three quick turns of tape muffled his voice and turned the world black.

He tried to lift his head, but stopped abruptly when something hard and cold pressed against the back of his neck. Matt lowered his face onto the garage floor and went limp. He felt hope escape like air from a punctured tire.

Wow! I know James and I will love this book. How can readers find you on the Internet?
My website is http://rmabry.com. I blog twice a week at http://rmabry.blogspot.com. My Facebook fan page is http://facebook.com/rmabrybooks. And my Twitter handle is @RichardMabry. Of course, readers can always send me an email at Dr R L Mabry at yahoo dot com.

Thanks for having me here, Lena. I hope your readers will like Stress Test.

Thank you for sharing it with us.

Richard Mabry is celebrating the release of Stress Test with a Nook HD Giveaway! Enter today.


Stress-Test-giveaway300
One winner will receive:
  • A brand new Nook HD
  • A $15 gift certificate to BarnesandNoble.com
Enter today by clicking one of the icons below. But hurry, the giveaway ends on April 27th. Winner will be announced on 4/29/13 at Richard's blog.

Tell your friends via FACEBOOK or TWITTER and increase your chances of winning.

Readers, here are links to the book. By using one when you order, you help support this blog.
Stress Test - paperback
Stress Test - Kindle


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Google +, Feedblitz, Facebook, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

30 comments:

Amy C said...

I enjoyed the interview with Richard. Thank you!
Amy C
VA

Richard Mabry said...

Lena, Thanks for having me here today. I hope your blog readers like Stress Test, and that they'll also scroll down to the end of the post and click the icon to enter the drawing for a Nook HD and gift card.

Library Lady said...

I will be buying the book, Stress Test, for the church library.
I also entered the drawing for a Nook HD and gift card.
Thanks!
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

Library Lady said...

Tis I again.
I would love to win the book also. I live in Florida.
Janet E.
von1janet(at)gmail(dot)com

Linda Kish said...

Great review. I love his books. I would love to win a copy of this book.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Pam K. said...

What a fascinating second page! My heart was beating a bit faster when I finished reading this excerpt. I'd love to win a copy of Stress Test. I've read other books by Richard that I've enjoyed.

pmk56[at]sbcglobal[dot]net
Kansas

Jasmine A. said...

Hey, hey, where's the rest? Gosh, now I am going to be on pins and needles until I can read the rest! ;)
Jasmine in Montana.

Melissa M. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Melissa M. said...

Sounds very interesting!

-Melissa M. from TX

Mary Preston said...

Page 2 for STRESS TEST had me holding my breath. Exciting stuff.

Mary P

QLD AUSTRALIA

Richard Mabry said...

Glad to read some nice words about Stress Test. Thanks, everyone.
I think Jasmine is referring to the fact that you can read the first two chapters through a link on my webpage home page (http://rmabry.com). To read the rest, you'll have to either win a copy (good luck) or buy one.

Patsy said...

Would love to read this book!

from Southern Miss

plhouston(at)bellsouth(dot)net

Abigail Mitchell said...

Enter me! Thanks!!!

Blanch, N.C.

Nancee said...

I'd love the opportunity to win a copy of "Stress Test." Great interview and thank you for the preview!
Nancee in Grand Rapids, Michigan
quiltcat26[at]sbcglobal[dot]net

karenk said...

thanks for the chance to read this fabulous novel

karenk...from PA
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Mama Cat said...

I would love to win a copy of this book - it is now on my wish list for future purchase (just in case!) Blessings to you!

Mama Cat said...

Oops - I live in Phoenix AZ

Ginger Solomon said...

Wow, heart stopping. :)

Would love to win.

Ginger in AL

Norma S said...

Hi Richard, i just wanted to say i know how hard it is to write a book and i think it is grand that a person is able to do that, my dad wrote words and music,i know how hard it was
for him,i would help him some,but i could never do it myself. So i think that anyone that can write that is an amazing gift God gave them, but they have to but a lot of hard work in it. Your book is amazing and i would love to have it. God bless you and keep on writing fantastic books.
Norma S. from Ohio

rubynreba said...

Enjoyed the review of Stress Test. I'd love to read it!
Beth from Iowa

Jessica C said...

Sounds good! I love that Mr. Mabry takes the time to respond to his fans. :o) I live in Chicago.

Lyndie Blevins said...

Congratulations, Doc on getting another book out! I look forward to it.

Thanks for the opportunity to get this book.
Lyndie Blevins
Duncanville, Tex

Richard Mabry said...

Thanks to each of you who took the time to comment. Wish you could all win...Well, actually, I'm glad only one wins, because that leaves some of you to actually buy the book. : )
Seriously, thanks for stopping by.

Lourdes said...

Okay another great book, why am I not surprised. I love his books.

Lourdes Long Island, NY

Sharon Richmond said...

Enter me!!
Sharon Richmond
Blanch,NC.
sharonruth126@gmail.com

Shopgirl said...

This sounds awesome! I love suspense. I'm in MN.

Terri B. said...

Stress test is my kind of book, and I would love to win a copy.
Terri in Mazatlan, Mexico

Terri B. said...

The Heiress of Winterwood looks like a good book, I would love to read it.
Terri in Mazatlan

Breanna said...
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Breanna said...
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